meridian

1. [TA] A line encircling a globular body at right angles to its equator and touching both poles, or the half of such a circle extending from pole to pole. SYN: meridianus [TA]. 2. In acupuncture, the lines connecting different anatomical sites. [L. meridianus, pertaining to midday, on the south side, southern]

- m. of cornea any line bisecting the cornea through its apex.

- meridians of eyeball [TA] lines surrounding the surface of the eyeball passing through both anterior and posterior poles. SYN: meridiani bulbi oculi [TA].

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me·rid·i·an mə-'rid-ē-ən n

1) an imaginary circle or closed curve on the surface of a sphere or globe-shaped body (as the eyeball) that lies in a plane passing through the poles

2) any of the pathways along which the body's vital energy flows according to the theory of acupuncture

meridian adj

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me·rid·i·an (mə-ridґe-ən) 1. an imaginary line on the surface of a spherical body, marking the intersection with the surface of a plane passing through its axis. Called also meridianus. 2. in acupuncture, a system of 20 lines (12 principal and 8 collateral) connecting acupoints and regarded as channels through which qi flows.